Filmed in Melbourne, sci-fi thriller Predestination circles around the life of a Temporal Agent who travels through time in pursuit of the one criminal who has taunted him his whole career. The film is written and directed by Australian brothers Michael and Peter Spierig, known for their previous futuristic outing, Daybreakers. Based on the 1958 sci-fi classic short story All You Zombies by Robert A. Heinlein, Predestination stars Ethan Hawke as the agent a mission to stop the elusive terrorist The Fizzle Bomber from massacring over 10,000 New Yorkers. During this process he comes across a new recruit called John Doe (played by Australian actress Sarah Snook). The film shifts in and out of different time-periods, executed in a way that is described as "futuristic and nostalgic" by the Sydney Morning Herald. Predestination is in cinemas on August 28, and thanks to Pinnacle Films, we have 15 double passes to give away, as well as three DVD prize packs of Drive, Jobs, Welcome to The Punch, Dark Skies and The Expatriate. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=UVOpfpYijHA
M.I.A just added another notch to her rebellious belt, calling in Julian Assange to open her gig at NYC's Terminal 5 via a live Skype feed. In what some might say is a canny publicity move (her fourth album, Matangi, has just been released today), the performer took her fans by surprise when Assange appeared on an enormous screen over the stage. After briefly lamenting he couldn't be at the show due to his ongoing confinement in London's Ecuadorian embassy, the WikiLeaks founder told the American audience "your government sucks", stressing the seriousness of the sinister relationship between government and media in the west. Assange spoke for just over ten typically glitchy Skype minutes, declaring that "we are in a battle" and stressing to his listeners that truly caring means getting personally involved, which in turn could lead to an enormous collective power. He also expressed his admiration for the politically passionate English/Sri-Lankan artist, saying “I think she is the most courageous woman working in western music.” Assange actually helped write one of the tracks on M.I.A's new album, 'aTENTion', for which he seemingly hacked the word 'tent'. They have previously collaborated in his promotion of M.I.A's free 2011 mix tape Vicki Leekx, and she later contributed music to Assange's TV program The World Tomorrow. You can watch an audience member's recording of the unexpected address below. The sound isn't great, but if you fiddle around with the volume levels you can catch most of it. Via New York Times and Spin.
If the recent temperamental weather wasn't enough to give you the hint, winter is fast approaching. And with winter comes early nights, chilly weather and warm clothes. If you're an urban bike rider you'll be well acquainted with the importance of visibility in adverse conditions. Thanks to Irene Posch, there is now a product on the market which is sure to pass the tests of functionality and aesthetic when it comes to bike gear. Early Winter Night Biking Gloves look and feel like normal knitted wool gloves but have added conductive areas on each fingertip as well as on the palm of the hand which light up a LED turn signal when the hand is stretched out and a fist is formed. A 3V coin cell battery needed to power the LEDs is hidden in the cuff of the gloves. In addition, the conductive glove fingertips are compatible with gloved use of touchscreen devices. Sold out on Etsy, there are two options for those keen to get their hands on these gloves.
Selling records, winning Grammys, putting on huge tours, making concert films, sparking free public transport: Taylor Swift can do it all. In excellent news for Swifties heading to the first two shows on the singer's Australian leg of her Eras tour at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, getting there by tram just got cheaper, with the Victorian Government temporarily including the venue in the city's free tram zone. Swift plays the MCG from Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18, in gigs that might become her largest ever, with 86,000 people expected to attend each night. That's a whole lot of people heading to the stadium — and not just locals, given that the pop superstar is only doing shows in Melbourne and Sydney when she visits Down Under. So, making using public transport easier is a no brainer. [caption id="attachment_939191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paolo Villanueva via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] Across the three days, the Victorian Government has announced that the free tram zone extend to the MCG via routes 48,70 and 75. Obviously, expect them all to be busy as they travel to the Melbourne Park precinct along Flinders and Collins Streets. To cater to demand, approximately 150 extra services are running over the three nights, too. And, regional lines as well V/Line train services have added as extra capacity also, including on the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour lines. [caption id="attachment_939194" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] "We've added hundreds of extra train and free tram services across the three days to get Swifties to the shows as easily and safely as possible," said Victorian Minister for Active and Public Transport Gabrielle Williams, announcing the public transport changes. "Taylor Swift's biggest ever Australian shows will have the same impact on the transport network as three AFL grand finals back to back — that's why we're encouraging everyone attending to plan ahead and take public transport to get to the 'G." This is the state that declared the 'Fearless', 'Enchanted', We Are Never Getting Back Together' and 'Blank Space' talent's shows a major event under its Major Events Act 2009 act, to ensure that Swift fans don't get ripped off by ticket scalpers. And, it's the home of Australia's only official offsite merchandise pop-up before Swift's gigs. Is Victoria aiming for "The Swiftie State" to be its new nickname? This is Swift's first tour Down Under since 2018, when she brought her Reputation shows to not only Melbourne and Sydney, but Brisbane and Perth, too. On the Eras tour, she's following up her three nights in Victoria with four in New South Wales. Melbourne's free tram zone will be extended to the Melbourne Cricket Ground from Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18, 2024. For more information, head to the Public Transport Victoria website. Taylor Swift is bringing The Eras Tour to the MCG from Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18, 2024. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Paolo Villanueva via Wikimedia Commons.
Depending on how you feel about dinner parties, Beatriz at Dinner is either an accurate snapshot of getting together for a meal with friends and acquaintances, or a comically discomforting nightmare. And, depending on how you feel about the current state of world politics, it's either a pointed commentary about real-estate moguls with entitled attitudes and their enablers, or a satire of the chasm between those that have it all and everybody else. Actually, in each case, it can be both. Beatriz at Dinner hits close to home while proving darkly amusing, and offers a loaded statement about a specific person as well as a general ribbing of the big gap between the wealthy and the not so. In fact, it feels like the type of film you'd get if you took the 2011-2013 TV series Enlightened, swapped Laura Dern for Salma Hayek, and updated it to reflect just how the world has changed in the last four years. To be honest, that's hardly surprising, given the movie and the show share two key creative forces: writer Mike White and director Miguel Arteta. As the eponymous Beatriz, Hayek is all empathetic eyes and soothing voice, at least to begin with. A Los Angeles masseuse who splits her time between a cancer treatment centre and house calls, Beatriz loves her job healing others as much as she loves her pet dogs and goats — and she's happy to talk about both to anyone who'll listen. At one appointment in a gated community miles from home, she chats away with Kathy (Connie Britton), a regular client with a wheeling-and-dealing husband, Grant (David Warshofsky). When their session is up, Beatriz's car won't start, so Kathy invites her to stay for a meal with Grant's business associates. Predictably, Beatriz stands out with her jeans and earthy attitude. In fact, when eager up-and-comer Alex (Jay Duplass) and his snobbish wife Shannon (Chloë Sevigny) arrive, followed by rich and powerful head honcho Doug (John Lithgow) and his third bride Jeana (Amy Landecker), they think she's the help. The obvious difference between Beatriz and the rest of the guests provides plenty of humour early on, but White and Arteta soon start to subvert expectations. This isn't a take on The Dinner Game, casting the well-off as vacuous and oblivious idiots. Nor is it a sitcom-style comedy where someone lower down the social ladder causes a few laughs and changes a few opinions, like the recent Madame. Rather, the film slowly but surely lets an impassioned and unwavering Beatriz loose on Doug, and watches everyone else squirm. Sharp, smart and funny, the end result is entertaining viewing for a number of reasons – even if its ending doesn't wholly satisfy. Warmly shot but purposefully awkward in tone, the film is unafraid to take chances with its class-conflict concept, but at the same time refuses to make even the most villainous characters mere one-note caricatures. White's astute dialogue helps in this regard, ringing true from both Beatriz and her dinner companions. The same applies to Arteta's framing, particularly his decision to always shoot his protagonist as though she's the shortest one in group. And then there's the cast, including well-judged supporting turns from Britton, Sevigny and company, a decidedly human foe in Lithgow, and the wonderfully textured, quietly commanding Hayek in career-best form. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI8_8O3uKhY
Melbourne’s transportation system has become a little bit greener (and whole lot more fun) with the arrival of Melbourne Bike Cabs. They're the brainchild of industrial designer Tim Collins and artist Stephen Mushin, who are both passionate about rescuing the environment through innovative design. Many cities in the world including London, New York and Paris are home to rickshaws, and given Melbourne’s geography, it seems like a no-brainer. "Melbourne is well-known for being one of the most liveable cities in the world, but there are things that still need improving," explains Collins. "Traffic congestion in town is worsening, getting from A to B has never been so stressful and our air quality is deteriorating too. We simply use cars too much, especially for short trips and entering the CBD. With traffic lanes being removed to make way for wider bike lanes, driving is becoming less and less appealing." Melbourne Bike Cabs are here to counter all this. They're run on a combo of pedal power and tiny electric motors, which are driven by lithium batteries recharged with renewable energy. So they're faster than walking, more accurate and efficient than trams and trains, and more sustainable than taxis. In fact, if everyone used Bike Cabs for short trips (as opposed to taxis), we'd save up to twenty tonnes of carbon every year. That's equivalent to planting about two thousand trees. Collins describes his pedi-cabs as "a modern revival of the classic cycle-rickshaw from around the world." What’s more, they're surprisingly affordable. For quick trips, flag fall costs just $5 and each kilometre just $2.50 a pop. Tours are available at the cost of $30 per half-hour. That's looking like some serious competition for the Melbourne taxi industry. In start-up mode at the moment, the business currently has two vehicles cruising around the Melbourne CBD. "The response has been overwhelmingly encouraging," Collins says. "People from all corners of Melbourne and beyond are really getting behind us." Passengers have lauded the service's convenience, fun factor and the fact that it gets you from door-to-door. So Collins and Mushin are working hard to expand as quickly as possible. To do that, they've set up a Pozible campaign that aims, not only to raise funds, but also to connect with supporters. Money raised will be used to get more pedi-cabs on the road and pay for a bunch of logistical and administrative needs, including insurance, council permits and bike storage. The good news is that any pledge of $30 or more buys you a stack of Bike Cab rides. And by the way, Kimbra's a huge fan.
No matter where you stand on the Uber vs. taxi debate, there are hefty changes ahead for Victorians if proposed taxi industry legislation comes into effect. Of the back of August's law changes, which saw a $1 levy imposed on all Uber and taxi rides, this next swag of reforms was proposed by the Victorian Government in Parliament yesterday, to be put in place from next year, if passed. The proposed laws are aimed at deregulating the taxi industry and levelling the playing field in the competition between taxis and ride share companies. Here's what's on the table. Taxi service providers would be allowed to set their own fares, giving customers the option to shop around for the best price and to ask drivers for a fare estimate before they hop in a car. As Taxi Drivers Association president Michael Jools told The Age, while this law would certainly boost competition, it could also wreak havoc as taxi drivers fight to offer the cheapest fare and potentially cut into their own earnings. On the upside, taxis setting their own fares could mean better prices for loyal clients, as well as benefits like getting fixed fares to the airport. It'll also mean drivers won't be required to use a traditional meter. On the flip side, this could also mean that there would be no cap to fare prices. Under these proposed laws, taxis could have the freedom to implement surge pricing during busy times, just like Uber. This could see fares going through the roof on Friday nights or after big sporting events. According to The Age, the government will devise a plan to monitor surging fares for people with disabilities that rely on taxis and during a crisis. Taxis, hire cars and ride share companies would all operate under the same rules, with safety cameras installed at all ranks. This would mean more choice for you as a customer, which again boils down to more money in your pocket. It'll also go towards addressing some of the safety concerns you might currently have with taxis and ride share services. Failing to give an accurate estimate or fixed cost at the start of the trip would see drivers lumped with tough penalties, including loss of accreditation for repeat offenders. This one's a big win for anyone who's ever been burned with a massive charge at the end of a ride. Riders will know what they're in for before they hop in the car. The finer details of the legislation are yet to be announced, but are expected to go through parliament later this year. Via The Age. Image: Savio Sebastian via Flickr.
Getting philosophical about existence can mean bobbing between two extremes. At one end, life means everything, so we need to make the absolute most of it. At the other, nothing at all matters. When genre-bending and mind-melting time-loop comedy-drama Russian Doll first hit Netflix in 2019, it served up a party full of mysteries — a repeating party overflowing with chaos and questions, to be precise — but it also delivered a few absolute truths, too. Fact one: it's possible to posit that life means everything and nothing at once, all by watching Natasha Lyonne relive the same day (and same 36th birthday party) over and over. Fact two: a show led by the Orange Is the New Black, Irresistible and The United States vs Billie Holiday star, and co-created by the actor with Parks and Recreation's Amy Poehler, plus Bachelorette and Sleeping with Other People filmmaker Leslye Headland, was always going be a must-see. Russian Doll's first season wasn't just one of the best TV shows of 2019, but one of the smartest, savviest and funniest, all while making the utmost of its Groundhog Day-meets-The Good Place setup. It tasked Lyonne's chain-smoking, acerbic and misanthropic New Yorker Nadia Vulvokov with cycling through the same date again and again, experiencing both gruesome and mundane deaths, and attempting to work out what this whole life business is all about. It was dark, heartfelt, amusing and innovative, as well as clever and compelling, especially in examining fate, logic, life's loops, wading through limbo, what counts in the time we have and if anyone can ever truly make a difference. (Also, it made the world appreciate how Lyonne pronounces "cockroach", something that never, ever gets old.) It took three years, but Russian Doll has finally returned for its seven-episode second season. The glorious news for sweet birthday babies who've gotta get up, gotta get out, gotta get home before the mornin' comes: it's smarter and weirder than its predecessor, and just as delightful. In the process, it achieves a tricky feat, because making more of a show that's already about duplicating the same events could've proven a lazy and easy rehash. Indeed, Russian Doll season two stresses another key fact: that taking a leap, twisting even further, and seeing life's ups and downs as a trip is always better than treading water. At the end of Russian Doll's first season, self-destructive video-game designer Nadia closed the live-die-repeat dilemma plaguing both her and mild-mannered fellow NYC-dweller Alan Zaveri (Charlie Barnett, You). The pair found a way to wind up "the one about the broken man and the lady with a death wish that got stuck in a loop," as Nadia describes, and the series came to such a glorious conclusion that no follow-up was really necessary. But in season two, death isn't the problem. Instead, time is. It was an issue before, given the duo couldn't move with it, only back through the same events — but now, via the New York subway's No 6 train, Nadia and Alan are speeding into the past to explore cause and effect, inherited struggles and intergenerational trauma. "Inexplicable things happening is my entire modus operandi," Nadia notes — with Lyonne as dynamite as ever in the wisecracking, angry-yet-tender, career-reshaping part — but it's also Alan's as well. They're now time prisoners, and their efforts to improve the present through the past leave sizeable ripples upon the pair themselves. There's no party as a catalyst, but there's still a birthday, with the narrative unfolding as Nadia's about to turn 40. Reaching that age has long been shorthand for reflection, crisis, taking stock of regrets and rethinking the future; however, it doesn't usually mean hopping to Berlin and Budapest from years gone by to learn not only how to stay alive, as the first season covered, but how to truly revel in every heartbeat regardless of whether it counts for something, nothing or everything. It's impossible to imagine how Russian Doll would work without Lyonne at its centre. Its mood, humour and look are so tied to the actor, who spits out sharp lines as naturally as breathing, wears the hell out of Nadia's overcoat and cascading crimson curls, and ensures that the flimsy chasm between being carefree and reckless is layered and relatable. Season two sees Lyonne also take over showrunning duties from Headland — and writing and directing three of its episodes, including its first and last instalments — so the fact that it dances so firmly as one with its leading lady is unsurprising as well as thrilling. Barnett's Alan doesn't get as much screentime as viewers would like as a result, but he's just as adept at making a splash in the time he has as he was in season one. (Add that to the show's list of truths across its entire run, clearly.) Sprawling and surreal, inventive and heartfelt, and somehow both skeptical and sentimental, Russian Doll is many things in season two, as it was in its debut airing. Now, it's also home to more of the always-welcome Chloë Sevigny (The Girl From Plainview) as Nadia's late mother Nora, the similarly returning Greta Lee (Sisters) as party-throwing pal Maxine, plus Schitt's Creek and Kevin Can F**k Himself star Annie Murphy and District 9's Sharlto Copley as series newcomers. Naturally, the twists that lead the latter two into the story are best discovered by watching, but they arise within a show that jumps backwards and keeps questioning that move simultaneously. That comes through stylistically — see: the visual cues taken from 70s cinema — and in snappy dialogue, profound themes and wily plot developments that muse on constant change versus hard-earned acceptance. Yes, Russian Doll is definitely back, entertainingly so, and serving up another wonderful on-screen matryoshka doll of life-pondering insights and time-twisting trickery for audiences to entrancingly unstack. And, it inspires its own IRL loop for beguiled viewers, too — because once you're done watching it, you'll want to cycle back and start all over again. Check out the full trailer for Russian Doll's second season below: The second season of Russian Doll is available to stream via Netflix. Read our review of the first season. Images: Netflix.
A hotel quarantine worker from Melbourne's Grand Hayatt Hotel returned a positive test result for COVID-19 on Wednesday, February 3. In response, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the state will reintroduce restrictions on gatherings and face masks. As of 11.59pm on Wednesday, February 3, the number of people allowed to gather in a household has now been reduced from 30 to 15. Members of the household and children under 12 are not included in the 15 visitors limit. Face masks are now mandatory in public indoor spaces and it's strongly recommended that you wear a face mask when visiting someone at their house or when having visitors over. In addition to the reintroduction of these restrictions, the states plan to reintroduce 75 percent of both the public and private sector to their workplaces on Monday, February 8 has been placed on hold. Instead, the current cap of 50 percent will remain. Up to 100 people can still gather in outdoor places and there has not yet been any changes to restrictions surrounding hospitality, weddings or funerals. The worker last worked at the hotel on Friday, January 29 and returned a negative result at the end of their shift before developing symptoms and being retested on Tuesday, February 2. Premier Andrews said while there was no need for people to panic, "we have to assume that this person has in fact infected others". A full list of exposure sites is available on the Victorian Health website. Anyone who attended these venues at the specified times is required to get tested immediately and self isolate for 14 days. https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1356930162391015424 For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria and current restrictions, head to the DHHS website.
If you’re a vegetarian, stop reading. You'll have more fun over here. If, however, you're a caring carnivore with a penchant for environmental protection, stay with us. A pop-up shop in New York City is helping to make your meaty inclinations more sustainable, by turning byproducts into fashion items. You'll find the Marlow Goods temporary store next door to the Reynard Restaurant, within the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It's the creation of husband and wife team Andrew Tarlow and Kate Huling — Tarlow takes care of Reynard’s culinary offerings, while Huling turns the restaurant’s waste into clothing, bags and accessories. 'Waste' refers to the parts of an animal left at the abattoir once the meat’s been extracted – leather and wool, mainly. Even though this is the duo's first pop-up, they've been doing the farm-to-table-to-fashion thing under the Marlow Goods label since 2008. Tarlow heads up several other popular Brooklyn eateries, including Diner, Roman's, cocktail bar Achilles and She Wolf Bakery. "When we thought of it, I don’t think we saw anyone else who was connecting restaurants and grass-fed meat and fashion," Huling told Vogue. "That was kind of a eureka moment." Huling also explained that her unique designs and Tarlow's restaurant aesthetics are mutually complementary. "I'm always driven to find styles that are as simple and as useful as possible," she says. "In many ways, my aesthetic is the same as that of Andrew's restaurants. We're very nostalgic for the way things used to be — the classic look of old fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Hermès, or the feeling of living in a village and selling your goods and wares." The Marlow Goods shop is popping up until December 31, 2014. Via Springwise.
With its frosty cabinets filled with decadent flavours, Gelato Messina knows how to get sweet. Among its array varieties all ready for the licking, the chain isn't afraid to get saucy as well. And if you're the kind of ice cream fiend who adores nothing more than scoops piled high on a cone, drizzling down your fingers as they melt, you'll know that Messina might also leave you slippery. That's all before you try its new Standard Procedure collaboration, too: a finger bun gelato lube that's coming on Valentine's Day. When Messina created its extremely delicious finger bun gelato, it answered an important question: why just eat finger buns or gelato when you can combine the two into a glorious dessert mashup packed with brioche gelato, whipped cream, raspberry puree and coconut icing? Now, the chain has another query: why keep this covetable combo out of the bedroom? Launching online on Tuesday, February 14 via the Standard Procedure and Messina online stores, then also headed to Sephora's shelves at a yet-to-be-announced date, the limited-edition Standard Procedure x Messina's Finger Bun Gelato Lube does indeed play up all of the flavours that make the latter's finger bun gelato as tasty as it is. So, expect to smell raspberry as part of a coconut and brioche water-based personal lubricant. Expect to be hungry for a banging time and a freshly baked sweet treat as well. Made on the Sunshine Coast, the lube features aloe vera, Kakadu plum and chamomile extract, is pH-balanced and works as a natural anti-inflammatory. Crucially, it doesn't include any parabens, petrochemicals, palm oil, silicon, hormones, alcohol or glycerin. And, whether you're enjoying it with a partner or solo, it can used with toys. It's also safe with most condoms. While Messina has already dropped a Valentine's Day dessert which promptly sold out, as its specials always do, it's also scooping up its finger bun gelato across all of its 26 stores to celebrate its new lube. It's a get-in-quick affair, however, because it's only available from February 14 until sold out. Via UberEats from 7pm on Valentine's Day itself, Messina is also doing $32 packs featuring 500-millilitre finger bun gelato tubs and 125-millilitre bottles of Finger Bun gGelato Lube. Standard Procedure x Messina's Finger Bun Gelato Lube is available from Tuesday, February 14 via the Standard Procedure and Messina online stores, and will also hit Sephora's shelves at a yet-to-be-announced date.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Flickerfest. This year's much-anticipated Flickerfest trailer has landed. Playing on 1980s cult classic, The Blues Brothers, it's a cleverly crafted parody of the adventure of filmmaking. Directed for Hixon Films by Flickerfest award winner, director Alex Weinress, and starring locals Emma Lung, Guy Edmonds, Matt Zeremes and Charlie Garber, the film focuses on ambitious filmmaker Stuart Martin, who believes that great short films come from "passionate, original voices ... from the dreams of madmen glanced in the morning dew". His "vision" is to tell the story of what happens when the Blues Brothers escape from prison and find themselves on Bondi Beach. And the result? The Blues Brothers as you've never seen them before: running slow-motion in the surf, ordering flat whites, taking tai chi lessons and contemplating their existence, all the while being watched by amazed locals. Martin is, of course, convinced that his "concept" is going to conquer Flickerfest.
If watching a film is an experience rather than an act of mere observation, then watching a film by Apichatpong Weerasethakul is like bathing underneath a waterfall of sound and vision rather than simply sticking your toes in a pool. The contemplative might be his domain, but so is the sensory. The Thai filmmaker's works are designed to wash over his viewers, and from the moment they start you have no choice but to let them. Cemetery of Splendour, the latest entry on his resume, is no exception to this rule. It's a film you dissolve into, like a dream you might not want to wake up from, one that's always trying to pull you further and further below the surface. Like Weerasethakul's previous film, the Palme d'Or winning Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, this new work combines a patient pace, hypnotic images and details both personal and political, creating a lavish and leisurely package that's both melancholy and joyous.. The sensation Cemetery of Splendour inspires in those watching is rather appropriate, since its protagonist, housewife turned volunteer nurse Jenjira (Jenjira Pongpas Widner), falls under a similar spell. While caring for soldiers afflicted with sleeping sickness, she warms to one man in particular (Banlop Lomnoi), with whom she feels a connection. Assisted by a medium, Keng (Jarinpattra Rueangram), Jen tries to communicate with her slumbering patient. So far, so straightforward — and Cemetery of Splendour does present perhaps Weerasethakul's most linear narrative. Weaving in statues coming to life and ghosts of times gone by, it swiftly proves far from conventional, the filmmaker's experimental sensibilities as present as ever. Here, a sense of place is paramount, particularly Jen's ties with the site the hospital stands on. Her bond with her location actually mirrors her director, who sets the film in his own hometown of Khon Kaen, and once again fashions his feature as a statement about his country. Indeed, think of Cemetery of Splendour as a combination of cinema and poetry, its sights and sounds striking in their own right, but continually conjuring up even more evocative feelings the longer they linger — and this is a movie that knows how to linger. That might sound like a cliché, especially when a feature is as simultaneously slow and sumptuous as this. However in Weerasethakul's efforts, the language of regular films doesn't really apply. Once again, the applauded auteur has made something that almost defies description as it burns its images into your eyeballs. There hasn't been a more meditative and mesmerising image in recent cinema than the line of neon-lit beds that proves the movie's visual centrepiece — and when you're looking at them, you always know you're doing more than just watching.
Melburnians, if you've recently returned from Perth or you've spent some time at the airport, a COVID-19 test and a stint in self-isolation might now be in your future. In response to the city's latest coronavirus case — in a Victorian man who tested positive upon his return to Melbourne after spending 14 days in hotel quarantine in Perth — the Victorian Government has listed both a Qantas flight from Perth and Melbourne Airport's Terminal 1 as new exposure sights. With the former, the classification only relates to a specific flight; with the latter, to a specific window of time. Qantas flight QF778 from Perth to Melbourne, which arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday, April 21, is listed as a Tier 1 site. That means that anyone who was on the plane must get tested for COVID-19 immediately, then self-isolate for 14 days regardless of their initial test result. Melbourne Airport's Terminal 1 is on the Tier 2 list, referring specifically to the half hour between 7–7.30pm on Wednesday, April 21. Anyone at the terminal during that timeframe must also get tested for COVID-19 immediately, and self-isolate until a negative result is received. https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1385433509557198848 Folks who've returned from Western Australia recently are also asked to look at a list of exposure sites issued by the WA Government and, if you visited them within the time frames identified, to contact the Victorian Department of Health immediately. It's a lengthy list, spanning shopping centres, restaurants and an aquatic centre, all between Saturday, April 17–Friday, April 23 so far. Back to Victoria, Melburnians can keep an eye on the local list of exposure sites at the Victorian Government Department of Health website — as it may change if more sites are identified. For those looking to get tested, you can find a list of testing sites including regularly updated waiting times also on the Department of Health website. Border requirements are also changing in response to the current case, and after Perth started a three-day lockdown at 12.01am today, Saturday, April 24. Victoria has classified the Perth metropolitan area and Peel region in Western Australia as red zones under its traffic light border system, which means that non-Victorian residents can't enter the state without an exception, permit or exemption. And, anyone currently in Victoria who has been in the metro Perth or Peel region between Saturday, April 17–Friday, April 23, other than to transit through either, is required to isolate, get tested within 72 hours and stay isolated until receiving a negative result. For further details on the latest exposure sites and updated public health advice, see the Department of Health website.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Wotif.com. Going to the Whitsundays and staying in a hotel without an ocean view is a bit like going to Rome without seeing the Colosseum. It’s kind of the whole point. The good news is that, whether you’re begging and borrowing to make your trip possible or spending all of your life savings in one extravagant indulgence, there are options. Here’s a list of the Whitsundays’ most beautiful, stylish, secluded and romantic hotels. CORAL SEA RESORT, AIRLIE BEACH The 4.5 star Coral Sea Resort is so close to the ocean you can pretty much reach out of your hotel window and test out the water. On top of that, a teeny-tiny stroll along a waterside boardwalk carries you to the uber-hip, laidback village of Airlie Beach. Getting to the islands is merely a matter of walking in the other direction, to Abell Point Marina, where you can jump on a ferry. Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and Whitehaven Beach are all doable on a half-day or full-day jaunt. HAMILTON ISLAND REEF VIEW If your ideal tropical holiday involves snorkelling above coral beds, windsurfing from dawn to dusk or testing out your paddle skiing prowess, the 4 star Hamilton Island Reef View Hotel is the go. That’s because the hotel offers complimentary access to a bunch of non-motorised water equipment. So you can pretty much wake up, munch down on breakfast and be out on the water within a matter of minutes. If you’re not a fan of self-propulsion, there’s the option of hiring a golf buggy and cruising the island on wheels. Either way, the hotel pool, complete with waterside cocktail bar, is the place to kick back after a day spent adventuring. DAYDREAM ISLAND RESORT AND SPA For a holiday that’s all about relaxing and pampering, Daydream Island Resort and Spa has the goods. That’s mainly because it’s home to the Rejuvenation Spa, where signature treatments are on the menu — from 1.5-hour Caviar Facials to four-hour Mermaid’s Dream indulgences. You can spend your entire holiday lying around, but, if you decide to move, mini golf, volleyball and badminton are all on offer. Plus, the resort is right on the edge of one of the world’s biggest manmade coral reef lagoons. BREAKFREE LONG ISLAND RESORT To make the most of a stay at the 3.5 star Breakfree Long Island Resort, you’ll need to be very, very skilled at the art of doing absolutely nothing. That’s because as soon as you see their hammocks, you’ll want to lie in them all day long. That said, the island’s national park is home to more than 20 kilometres of walking trails, so you can roam if you want to. And there’s also volleyball and paddle boarding opportunities aplenty. For beverages, there’s a poolside cocktail bar and, for food, the onsite Palm’s Restaurant. PINNACLES RESORT AND SPA The 5 star Pinnacles is the full monty. If there’s someone in your life who you really, really want to impress or thank or hold captive forever and ever and ever (yourself, perhaps?), it’s the one. For a start, the rooms are 20 metres from the water, with panoramic views across Airlie Beach and the ocean. Second up, there’s an Endota Spa with a private verandah. If you want go the whole hog, opt for a two- or three-bedroom apartment with its own terrace Jacuzzi. BOATHOUSE APARTMENTS BY OUTRIGGER Wanna take a bunch of buddies or a whole football team or your mum, dad, sis and bro on holiday with you? And your cousins? Outrigger’s Boathouse Apartments, situated on the water at the shiny new port of Airlie Marina, have loads of space. If there are eight of you, check out the four-bedroom Penthouse apartments, featuring balconies and a rooftop spa. Host your own mini-Wimbledon at the resort’s private tennis court or chill out poolside. Book your Whitsundays escape now via Wotif.com.
Year after year, St. Jerome's Laneway Festival delivers a brilliant lineup of bands that has given it the reputation of a true music nerd's festival. A complementary mix of international and local acts have been chosen for 2012; long-time lovers of this festival are sure to find a couple of bands that they've always wanted to see. Laneway's focus on up-and-coming acts means that there's a high likelihood you'll hear a band you've never heard of who will soon be a regular guest on your iPod. This summer, you can look forward to seeing New York trio Chairlift, who produce very catchy indie songs and are soon releasing their third album; Girls, a charismatic rock-pop band whose songs are laced with innocent heartbreak and joie de vivre; quirky songstress Laura Marling; synth-rock hero M83; the genre-hopping wonder that is Feist, as well as The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Horrors, Twin Shadow, The Panics, Yuck, Pajama Club, Active Child and many more. Laneway are also showcasing Triple J's Unearthed winners, so you may hear the Next Big Thing before they're saturating the radio. The exuberant, party atmosphere and a crowd who's more into the music that what they're wearing makes Laneway a summer staple, so make sure you nab a ticket as soon as you can (tickets go on sale October 19). Brisbane – Saturday, January 28 at Alexandria Street, Fortitude Valley Auckland – Monday, January 30 at Silo Park, Beaumont Street Melbourne – Saturday, February 4 at Footscray Community Arts Centre Sydney – Sunday, February 5 at Sydney College Of The Arts Adelaide – Friday, February 10 at Fowler's Live Perth – Saturday, February 11 at Perth Cultural Centre Singapore – Sunday, February 12 at Fort Canning (lineup announced on October 21) The full lineup is as follows: Active Child Anna Calvi Austra Bullion Chairlift (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne only) Cults The Drums DZ Deathrays EMA Feist (except Adelaide^) Geoffry O'Connor Girls Givers (Sydney, Melbourne only) Glasser The Horrors Husky (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne only) John Talabot Jonti Laura Marling M83 Oneman The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Pajama Club The Panics Portugal The Man SBTRKT (live) Toro Y Moi Total Control Twin Shadow Washed Out Wu Lyf Yuck https://youtube.com/watch?v=r-hMISLG8nY
First it was the Cheese Festival, then the Sausage Fest, and now Prahran Market is completing the holy trio of meats, cheese and chocolate with — you guessed it — a chocolate festival. The Wicked Chocolate Festival will be held at Prahran Market on Saturday, May 7. As well as on-stage talks about the stuff, a kitchen where you can see how it's made and tasting events, Melbourne's finest will be pulling out their best chocolate creations at the Pop-Up Chocolate Precinct. This will include — are you ready for this? — chocolate doughnuts from Doughboys, chocolate cookie sandwiches by Butterbing, Nutella pizzas from A25 Pizzeria, as well as treats from Burch & Purchese, Bibelot, Fritz Gelato and Pana Chocolate. There'll be everything from hot chocolate to cold chocolate (read: ice cream), and rich chocolate mousse to raw vegan Snickers bars. The market is known for their decidedly delicious events, and this one is set to be just as epic and coma-inducing — especially if you enter the chocolate eating competition. The Weiss Chocolate Eating Comp will see seven contestants pitted against each other to see who can eat the most chocolate in two minutes. They'll win a $300 prize pack, which includes market goodies and — you guessed it — more chocolate. Contestants will be selected by ballot — so to enter, just email your name, age and phone number through to chocolate@prahranmarket.com.au before April 26. And in the meantime, we suggest you start practicing with some blocks of Cadbury Dairy Milk and a few rounds of The Chocolate Game. Fingers crossed you roll a few sixes.
It isn't always easy to satisfy fans of pastels and symmetry, brand-new Australian cinema, one of Japan's greatest filmmakers, a buzzy Euphoria and The White Lotus star, Succession, the internet's boyfriend and heartfelt animation all in one go. Or devotees of acclaimed Iranian directors, kaiju flicks, NBA superstar Stephen Curry, John Wick-style revenge tales, and wild commentaries on America's recent political landscape using clips from Wayne's World and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, either. But, when you're a cinema celebration hitting 70 years old as Sydney Film Festival is in 2023, ticking all those boxes is just another annual program. Of course, there's no such thing as an ordinary or routine SFF lineup. Whether you're a diehard cinephile or a more casual moviegoer, this festival has always spoiled viewers for choice, making sure there's truly something among its selection each year for everyone. In 2023, Festival Director Nashen Moodley's carefully curated bill kicks off with one of the most exciting Aussie films of the year arriving straight from Cannes, then includes Wes Anderson's latest doing the same — and throws in new work from Hirokazu Kore-eda, Sydney Sweeney, Sarah Snook, Paul Mescal and Pixar, plus much, much more. When SFF's milestone 70th fest officially opens on Wednesday, June 7, launching a program that'll screen 239 films from 67 countries until Sunday, June 18 — with 90 narrative feature films and 54 documentaries, and also notching up 37 world premieres and 123 Australian premieres — it'll do so with Warwick Thornton's The New Boy. The Cannes-selected title is his first film since 2017's stunning Sweet Country, and sees him team up with none other than Cate Blanchett. 2023's Tár Oscar-nominee plays Sister Eileen, who runs a monastery and home to orphaned boys in the 1940s, which is where the titular nine-year-old (newcomer Aswan Reid) is sent. Also among the cast: Deborah Mailman (Total Control) and Wayne Blair (Seriously Red). The New Boy is also vying for the festival's annual prize alongside 11 others, in what marks the official competition's 15th year. Other contenders span Aussie documentary The Dark Emu, about Bruce Pascoe's book; Bad Behaviour, the feature directorial debut of actor-turned-filmmaker Alice Englert (You Won't Be Alone) starring Jennifer Connelly (Top Gun: Maverick); Kore-eda's Monster, the prolific helmer's latest after fellow recent SFF titles Shoplifters and Broker; and Celine Song's first effort Past Lives, telling a bittersweet romance about two childhood friends (Russian Doll's Greta Lee and Decision to Leave's Teo Yoo) who briefly reunite after decades apart. From the competition highlights, there's also Cobweb from South Korean A Tale of Two Sisters talent Kim Jee-woon; the animated Art College 1994 from Have a Nice Day's Liu Jian; Finnish great Aki Kaurismäki's (The Other Side of Hope) Fallen Leaves; and Afire, a Berlinale Silver Bear for Undine and Transit's Christian Petzold, which was part of the fest's first lineup announcement for 2023. Yes, Anderson's Asteroid City is on the 2023 SFF program, too, bringing the filmmaker's now-trademark sensibilities and aliens together at last — and a characteristically massive cast filled with every famous actor ever or thereabouts. Also set to flicker across Sydney's screens is the Sweeney-starring whistleblower docudrama Reality, Snook in Sundance-bowing Australian psychological thriller Run Rabbit Run, the Mescal-led (and Aussie-shot and opera-inspired) Carmen and Pixar's what-if-elements-had-feelings newbie Elemental. Jafar Panahi's (Tehran Taxi) Venice Special Jury Prize-winner No Bears was announced earlier as well, but remains a SFF must-see — and the kaijus come via Shin Ultraman, which springs from the creators of Shin Godzilla and Neon Genesis Evangelion. NBA fans will want to see Stephen Curry: Underrated, and the vengeance arrives via SXSW hit The Wrath of Becky (well, one of SFF's 2023 flicks about vengeance). And Soda Jerk return to the fest after Terror Nullius screened in 2018, this time with Hello Dankness and its chaotic yet cutting survey of US politics from 2016 onwards. Movie lovers should already be eagerly anticipating SFF's already-revealed Jane Campion retrospective, with the filmmaker herself in attendance — and Indian screen icon Amitabh Bachchan also earns his own program strand. But the new features keep coming, too, including in the fest's returning strands. Seasoned attendees should already be well-acquainted with SFF's ten-film focus on female directors from Europe, selection of movies about music, weird and wonderful horror and genre flicks, family-friendly fare, celebration of filmmaking talent with disability and titles from First Nations creatives, all back in 2023. Other specific standouts range from comedy Biosphere, about the last two men on earth; to Passages, from Love Is Strange's Ira Sachs; and also German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Submergence) heading to Japan with Perfect Days. Plus, there's assassin thriller Kennedy by Gangs of Wasseypur's Anurag Kashyap; literary thriller The Lesson, which stars Richard E Grant (Persuasion), Julie Delpy (On the Verge) and Daryl McCormack (Bad Sisters); and historical drama Chevalier, with Kevin Harrison Jr (Cyrano) playing 18th-century Black composer Joseph Bologne. Cinemagoers can similarly look forward to Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winner A Thousand and One, the obviously film-loving I Like Movies, environmentalist tale How to Blow Up a Pipeline, talk show-set horror Late Night with the Devil and the self-explanatory tribute Cannes Uncut. Also, SFF has added a new Independent in Spirit section that's all about indie films by up-and-coming Australian directors, which is where The Big Dog will get comedic about a stockbroker with a financial domination fetish, Sunflower will spin a Melbourne-set queer coming-of-age tale, Birdeater will follow a bride-to-be attending her fiancé's buck's party — and more. As for where you'll be heading to get your festival fix this year, SFF is back at The State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Newtown, Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne, Ritz Cinemas Randwick, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Australian Museum and Art Gallery of NSW. Sydney Film Festival 2023 runs from Wednesday, June 7–Sunday, June 18 at various Sydney cinemas — head to the festival website for further information and tickets.
Shortstop are celebrating their birthday in the best possible way: by giving away a boatload of free donuts! Friday, September 8 marks three tasty years since the coffee and donut specialists started slinging rings of dough and cups of joe from their Melbourne store. To mark the anniversary, they've crafted a special limited-edition Birthday Cake Donut, a vanilla bean concoction topped with glaze and sprinkles, which they'll be giving away free with every purchase. "It's a small way for us to say thank you to all our customers for their loyal support over the past three years," says Shortstop's Anthony Ivey. The donut giveaway will take place at Shortstop's Melbourne and Sydney stores for as long as stocks last. One per customer, so don't get any bright ideas. Find Shortstop Coffee & Donuts in Melbourne at 12 Sutherland Street, Melbourne and in Sydney at Shop 3, 23 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo.
Would you change your outfit if your partner asked you to? What about your haircut? Or, supposing they wanted to act as your personal stylist — would you let them? What if you'd always felt slightly frumpy, and they were suave, sexy and sophisticated? What if, as in Neil LaBute's The Shape of Things, opening on Thursday for a season at the No Vacancy gallery, you were a shy college student named Adam and they were a stunning art sophomore called Evelyn, who seemed to be inexplicably smitten with you? You'd do anything for love, right? Directed By Peter Blackburn, the play has been performed around the world and was even made into a feature film in 2003, starring Paul Rudd and Rachel Weisz. The Shape of Things propels Adam and Eve out of their idyllic Garden and into the plastic surgeon's office to suggest that modern relationships have quite enough venom to effectively exile happiness without the seductive snake. It's an acidic take on the relationships between men and women and what it means to change someone. When a person becomes a project, maybe all's not fair in love and war. Image via no-vacancy.com.au
We can all agree that the annual racing carnival should just be renamed the Season of Bubbles. It's a great occasion to splash out, pop Champagne and eat cheese like it's going out of fashion. And the good people at Mumm — purveyors of fine Champagne, fun times and free holidays — want to take you there. They're giving away a luxe Melbourne Cup Emirates Stakes Day experience and, trust us, you don't want to miss this. The winner — and their luckiest friend — will win a killer race-day adventure. Fly to Melbourne (from Brisbane or Sydney) and prepare to be chauffeured around by a private car (to and from your five-star hotel, mind you). You'll have access to the Mumm Marquee, too, where you'll enjoy flutes of Mumm Champagne, delicious canapes and a big screen to take it all in. And because Mumm knows how to take care of you, they've set up a luxurious (and greasy) breakfast at your hotel the next day, before your private car whisks you back to the airport. Now that's race day glamour. To enter, see details below. If you're a Sydneysider and don't win the comp, fret not. You can head down to the Cup Day Festival at Barangaroo — there'll be pop-up eateries, live music and, of course, plenty of Mumm to go around. Entry into the event is free and Barangaroo's restaurants and bars will be serving up race-day specials (many of which include complimentary Champagne). Splash out on seafood at Cirrus, a Shanghai feast at Lotus or a nine-course Turkish banquet at Anason. We'll tip our hats to that. [competition]642528[/competition]
Carbe diem, folks. Our favourite experts at That's Amore have announced a new run of pasta-making classes, guiding beginner chefs through the art of making gnocchi or filled pasta from scratch. Learn the secrets of both potato and ricotta gnocchi from Masterchef contestant and cookbook author Pia Gava on Saturday, May 6, before sitting down to an Italian lunch featuring your creations and a glass of wine. Potato gnocchi is paired with a rich four-cheese sauce, while ricotta-based gnocchi is laden with cavolo nero pesto. Alternatively, a three-hour tortellini and ravioli session led by Piera Pagnoni, owner of Piera Pasta Fresca, will run on Saturday, May 27. Roll up your sleeves across this in-depth, interactive workshop which will take you through the process of making, kneading and shaping two kinds of filled pasta. The first is a balanzoni, a green, tortellini-like stuffed pasta hailing from Bologna stuffed with ricotta, mortadella and parm. The second is a half-moon ravioli di pesc starring crab meat, snapper, mascarpone, thyme and lemon. A glass of wine and lunch is also included. Tickets come in at $140 per person which includes a That's Amore apron for your home kitchen. Images: Supplied.
What's better than watching a heap of top Australian talent sit around and talk about music? Watching them do all of the above while answering questions, competing for points and just generally being funny, too. That's the concept behind ABC TV show Spicks and Specks, which took a few cues from the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, pit Aussie musos and comedians against each other, and has proven a hit several times over. It was a weekly favourite when it first aired between 2005–2011 — and it will be again from today. As fans will already know, Spicks and Specks just keeps coming back; however, that has meant different things over the years. When the program was first revived back in 2014, it did so with a new host and team captains, for instance. And when it started to make a return with its original lineup of Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough, it first did so via a one-off reunion special. That 2018 comeback proved more than a little popular. It became the ABC's most-watched show of that year, in fact. So, the broadcaster then decided to drop four new Spicks and Specks specials across 2019–20 and, for 2021, to bring back Spicks and Specks in its regular format. As first announced last year, the show is returning for a full ten-episode season — and, as the broadcaster revealed last month, it'll kick off on Sunday, April 18 at 7.40pm. You'll be able to watch it on TV when it airs, or stream it via iView afterwards. Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough are all settling back into their old chairs, obviously — and, guest-wise, they'll be joined by music stars such as The Teskey Brothers, Alice Skye, G-Flip, Vika and Linda, and Missy Higgins, as well as comedians including Anne Edmonds, Nazeem Hussain, Luke McGregor, Dave O'Neil and Denise Scott. So, add playing along with the show from your couch to your end-of-weekend plans from tonight onwards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT5t-G4iGDc Spicks and Specks returns to ABC TV for a regular full season from 7.40pm on Sunday, April 18, with episodes airing weekly afterwards. You'll also be able to stream the series via ABC iView.
UPDATE, September 30, 2022: The Dry is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Prime Video and iTunes. In The Dry, a man heads back to the drought-stricken town he grew up in for the first time in two decades, returning in the aftermath of a new tragedy and unearthing the still-blistering remnants of an old one in the process. An Australian Federal Police officer who left the regional farming community of Kiewarra under terse circumstances, Aaron Falk has the look of someone who long ago let the ability to display his feelings dry up — and while that isn't what the film's title refers to, Eric Bana plays the movie's protagonist as if it was. He's dogged and no-nonsense. He can shoot a glare at someone that's as severe as his profile, and often does. Twenty years after Chopper made Bana's name as a dramatic actor, rather than a sketch comedy star whose movie career began with The Castle, he's a canny pick for The Dry's lead role. As he stalks through his first Australian movie since 2007's Romulus, My Father, he silently simmers with intensity in every gaze; however, viewers already know that Bana never just plays the hard man — or, in his comic days, just one type of funny guy either. And so, the audience can also spot that his unrelenting exterior holds back a storm of Aaron's pain and loss, all lurking behind an expression as parched as the yellowed fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. Conveying that balance of steely focus and buried heartache isn't a new task; tales on the page and screen are filled with characters, typically men and often those with a badge, who fit the type. But one of the reasons that Bana is so right for The Dry is that, in his hands, Aaron isn't merely the sum of his well-worn traits. Similarly, he isn't just a cookie-cutter conflicted cop in yet another small-town murder-mystery about a community torn apart by a young woman's death, never recovering, then rehashing their woes when another trauma arises. It's lucky that Bana makes such an impact for another reason, too. When the film repeatedly stresses that Aaron was a teenager 20 years ago — with scenes starring Joe Klocek (Nowhere Boys) as a younger, more sensitive version of the character to help — that's The Dry's least convincing element. Bana is a great actor, but buying that he's playing someone who was an adolescent hanging out in a creek and pining after his crush Ellie (debutant BeBe Bettencourt) two decades ago is a stretch, and always feels that way. Those flashbacks pepper The Dry's main narrative, although both threads are intertwined. Based on the best-selling, award-winning novel by Jane Harper, the film explores Aaron's need to interrogate himself and unlock his past as much as his quest to investigate whether there's anything more to the shocking murder-suicide that brings him back. He's renowned for being outstanding at his job, with his reputation preceding him upon his return. Indeed, it's why the Hadlers (Winchester's Bruce Spence and The Dressmaker's Julia Blake) ask him to look into the death of their son and his childhood best friend Luke (Martin Dingle Wall, Strangerland) — and of Luke's wife and son. Alas, this isn't the first time that Luke and Aaron have been linked to a grim situation. To many in a place so wearied by the lack of rain that everyone has been sapped of their strength, his homecoming is far from welcome, and neither are his questions. Sitting in the shadow of recent Australian crime thrillers Mystery Road and Goldstone, The Dry is a whodunnit multiple times over, with Aaron determined to discover the truth behind not only Luke and his family's deaths, but Ellie's. For the audience, the movie itself is just as dedicated to uncovering why the teen Aaron and Luke (Sam Corlett, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) remained under a cloud of suspicion from all those years ago. Both parts of the story encompass Kiewarra's key figures, spanning everyone from Aaron's old friend Gretchen (Genevieve O'Reilly, Glitch) and Ellie's angry brother Grant (Matt Nable, 1%) to local cop Greg (Keir O'Donnell, Project Blue Book) and his pregnant wife Rita (Miranda Tapsell, Top End Wedding), plus school headmaster Scott (John Polson, acting for the first time since Mission: Impossible II). Still, even given that lineup of characters and the excellent talent behind them, it's Aaron's journey that always demands attention. One of the most intriguing aspects of The Dry is how it's clearly stitched together from familiar elements — not just regarding its central character, but throughout the entire narrative — but, through Aaron, this tale of grief, guilt, secrets, stark truths, dusty fields and emotional desolation finds a way to resonate. At first glance, it might seem as if filmmaker Robert Connolly is in vastly different terrain to 2014's Paper Planes, his last cinema release. Even with its family-friendly focus, that movie was steeped in mourning, though — and it also jumped into a well-populated realm, embraced its tropes and traded upon existing genre affection as well. That's The Dry through and through. Co-scripted by Harry Cripps (the forthcoming Penguin Bloom), it's a solid crime movie, and an engaging but rarely surprising one. It's built from recognisable parts, and stakes its own patch by choosing where and how to make an impact. Of course, with Balibo also on his resume as a writer/director, plus The Boys and Acute Misfortune as a producer, Connolly is experienced in making thorny stories stand out. The filmmaker knows how to tell an absorbing tale, however clear-cut it may be. He's skilled at splashing memorable and thematically loaded imagery across his frames, as The Dry's flaxen landscape, as shot by Stefan Duscio (The Invisible Man) shows. But viewers don't just connect with a dark narrative and eye-catching visuals — they connect with the people within both. Here, there's no choice but to connect with Bana, and with the sorrow that'd seep from Aaron and saturate the movie like a tidal wave if he'd let it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwJhS4O_IdM
Game of Thrones was always going to spark spinoff shows. Indeed, when HBO started thinking about doing a prequel five years ago, before the huge fantasy hit had even finished its run, it was hardly surprising. And, when the US network kept adding ideas to its list — including a Jon Snow-focused series with Kit Harington (Eternals) reprising his famous role, novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg and an animated GoT show, to name just a few prequels and spinoffs that've been considered, but may or may not actually come to fruition — absolutely no one was astonished. So far, just one fellow GoT-related series has hit screens: House of the Dragon, which jumps back into House Targaryen's history. When it arrived in 2022, it became an instant success. Accordingly, it was quickly renewed for season two. But if you've been hanging out for the next part in its story, and hoping to see it in 2023, you might have to wait a little longer. In an interview with Variety, HBO and HBO Max content CEO Casey Bloys has advised that viewers likely won't be returning to Westeros until sometime in 2024. He said that timing for House of the Dragon season two's debut "is a good guess", and that it probably won't be eligible for the Emmys held that year — which means that new episodes might be coming in winter Down Under, fittingly. The first season also started screening and streaming during Australia and New Zealand's winter, so that'll mean a two-year gap — or thereabouts — between the show's maiden go-around and its second effort. And, it means thinking "winter is coming" to yourself all over again, amid pondering the GoT realm's relationships, flowing long blonde hair, dragons, stabbings and fights for the Iron Throne (whether or not you turn watching House of the Dragon into a drinking game, as we did). The series kicked off 172 years before the birth of Daenerys and her whole dragon-flying, nephew-dating, power-seeking story, and gave HBO its largest American audience for any new original series in its history when it debuted. Yes, House of the Dragon is basically a case of new show, same squabbles, as it was easy to foresee it would be. Yes, it's pretty much Game of Thrones with different faces bearing now well-known surnames — and more dragons. If you haven't yet caught up with the series, it dives into the battle for the Iron Throne before the one we all watched between 2011–19. Paddy Considine (The Third Day) plays King Viserys — and it's exactly who should be his heir that sparks all the Succession-style fuss. The words "succession" and "successor" (and "heir" as well) get bandied around constantly, naturally. The king has a daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (played by Upright's Milly Alcock, then Mothering Sunday's Emma D'Arcy), who is also his first-born child. But because putting a woman on the throne isn't the done thing, the King's younger brother Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith, Morbius) considers that spiky iron chair his birthright. And, this wouldn't be Westeros if plenty of other people didn't have an opinion, including Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans, The King's Man), the Hand of the King; his own daughter Alicent (The Lost Girls' Emily Carey, then Slow Horses' Olivia Cooke); and Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint, It's a Sin), who is married to Princess Rhaenys Velaryon (Eve Best, Nurse Jackie), who had a better claim to the throne when Viserys was named king instead. Also yes, this latest adaptation of George RR Martin's popular fantasy books is bound to continue on for more than just two seasons, but that's all that's confirmed for the moment. Check out the full House of the Dragon trailer below: House of the Dragon streams Down Under via Foxtel and Binge in Australia and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand. Read our full review of season one. Via Variety. Images: Ollie Upton/HBO.
Drop everything. Nothing is as important as this Game of Thrones-themed wine tasting. Are you still recovering from The Red Viper versus The Mountain? Are you feeling a little nostalgic for the days when Tyrion could lay around boozing on vino? Perhaps you should be drinking your sorrows away with some like-minded Thrones fanatics. Confused? We’ll lay it down for you. Game of Rhones is a wine-tasting event touring Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne that's now in its second year. Featuring over 40 producers and 100 wines, this glorious day at St Kilda Town Hall will be an all-out trial by combat to determine the best offering of the grape varieties from the Rhone Valley in France — Shiraz, Grenache, and Viognier among others. There will be wines, ciders and beers from every corner of Kings Landing/Australia all of which have been confirmed to contain no poison and you, the humble commoner, will be entrusted to pick the victor. Of course, it wouldn't be Thrones-worthy if there weren't a few extra kickers. To accompany your wine, there will be a selection of feast-able treats available such as suckling pig and venison pie — if you’re a vego or a vegan you might have to BYO tofu — and there's also the option to come in costume. As far as we can tell, it appears that patrons have either gone all out, or rocked up in jeans. Obviously we suggest the former, because quite frankly it would be amazing to see a hoard of drunken Daenarys' walking the streets of Melbourne screaming "WHERE ARE MY DRAGONNNNNS??!" Your Game of Rhones ticket price includes a special wine chalice and all tastings from 1pm-6pm, however food prices are not included. For more information see the Game of Rhones website.
In one of the finer examples of literally living and breathing your work, meet The Exbury Egg; a temporary, energy efficient, self-sustaining work space for artist Stephen Turner that will float in the estuary of the River Beaulieu. Talk about every impassioned greenies’ dream, right? The Egg is a place to stay while doubling as a laboratory for studying the life of a tidal creek. The Egg will rise and fall with the tide and be tethered a bit like a boat. Turner is interested in exploring an intense relationship with nature and so it only makes sense for him to completely immerse himself in it. Turner upholds that this isn’t a big anti-technology-back-to-nature experiment. He still plans on using items like his cellphone, his laptop and digital camera, but in the planning of this project he has created these to be charged via solar power. There’s also a huge educational component to this project, with schools being able to engage with the Egg project in topics from construction, science, art, ecology and engineering. To quote Turner “Climate change is already creating new shorelines and habitats. Established salt marsh is being eroded by a combination of rising sea levels and falling landmass and the entire littoral environment is in a state of flux. The implications for wildlife and for the flora as well as for people are challenging. Raising awareness of the past and the unfolding present of a very special location will be the task, whist living in an ethical relationship with nature and treading as lightly as possible upon the land.’ The Egg was placed in the River in May and an Egg Cam is set to launch early July for those wanting to check up on how things are floating along.
If a swag of stars made up to look like cats hasn't already scared you today, then a good ol' dose of creepy clown horror just might. Bringing the second part of Stephen King's bestselling book to the screen, IT: Chapter Two returns to the exploits of maniacal clown Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), as well as the gang of kids he's rather fond of terrorising. This time, however, all those teens have grown up. We've already seen the adult Losers Club in the first trailer for the unnerving sequel, which dropped back in May. Now, with San Diego Comic-Con currently in full swing, it's time for a second glimpse. While the initial IT's Sophia Lillis, Jaeden Martell, Finn Wolfhard and company all make an appearance as the younger versions of the characters, circa 1988-89, the likes of Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader step into their shoes 27 years later. Yes, they're still being forced to put up with Pennywise's chaotic antics, including his love of sewers, his obsession with balloons and his usual white-faced, flame-haired get-up. Of course, the frightening villain has a few fresh tricks up his sleeve, as this sneak peek at a few of IT: Chapter Two's set pieces shows. It seems like every film features a hall-of-mirrors scene these days, including John Wick: Chapter Two and Us, but the concept is decidedly more terrifying when Pennywise is involved. And, while Stranger Things' third season just spent a fair amount of time at a carnival, again, IT: Chapter Two ups the ante by trotting out its unhinged clown. All of the jumps, bumps and bloody carnage takes place in King's usual setting of Derry, Maine once again, with the Losers Club all heading home to face the nightmare they thought they'd escaped. And, behind-the-scenes, original director Andy Muschietti (Mama) is back — so if you liked what he did the first time around, get ready for a second nerve-rattling serving. Watch the new trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhJ5P7Up3jA IT: Chapter Two releases in Australian cinemas on September 5, 2019.
Keep Everything is dance theatre for people who can appreciate the absurdity of human social behaviour and love hearing a beat drop. This new offering from Chunky Move continues the company’s mission to playfully redefine the limits of contemporary dance. It's charming, entrancing and fun. It begins dramatically: human bodies barely visible through surging projections and thick smog. We are transported to a post-apocalyptic landscape — made magical by the music of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes (of The Presets fame). Yet, just as soon as we’re accustomed to the electronic rhythms and droning atmosphere of this sci-fi wasteland, all the lights are up and the performers are over-exposed. The scene transitions through the piece are carefully thought-out and a joy to experience. Lighting, music and projection all work together to hurtle us along the evolutionary journey of humans — from morphing jellyfish-masses to haute-couture models. The choreography by Antony Hamilton never takes itself too seriously. It is clear to see that improvisation and repeated physical and verbal phrases have formed the basis of the work, which seems to respond to gibberish emitting from the mouths of the dancers and to laugh out loud at the direct audience address, “How are ya?” The trio of dancers (Benjamin Hancock, Lauren Langlois, Alisdair Macindoe) speak in grunts and abstract sounds and dance in digital code. They push the boundaries of their human spines and structures to create part-machine, part-animal bodies that offend our civility. They tell us the human body is simply a series of circles and angles then prove this point with a prolonged unison dance sequence so precise I dubbed it the ‘robot rebirthing’... only moments before it deteriorated into a night-club rave. At the heart of Keep Everything is an exploration of how humans connect and communicate, and the audience is forced to reflect and critique our own speech. Aren’t we all just speaking gibberish that we somehow collectively understand? “Ye-ah”, comes the dancers’ answer, as they learn onstage to make meaning out of random patterns. The set is a clean white floor, covered on one side with what appears to be pastel building-blocks, and on the other with industrial waste: from order and progress to pollution and disrepair. This bittersweet view of human evolution is maintained throughout, from the seamless switches of organic, fluid movements into robotic body isolations to the rogue 'lap dog' (brought brilliantly to life by Langlois), who refuses to submit to human control any longer. The work claims to keep everything, but is neither too long nor indulgent. It casts a questioning eye on our human behaviour and makes us laugh at how far we’ll go to try to connect.
Working at the exciting intersection of design, art and iced treats, American artist Wei Li has just embarked on a pretty interesting experiment. In an effort to understand how aesthetics dictate taste, she's crafted a range of ice blocks shaped like totally unappealing things. Her series, Dangerous Popsicles, features treats that resemble a range of cacti, influenza, E-coli, HIV and chicken pox. Yum! If you thought the plastic corners of Zooper Doopers were dangerous, this stuff is undoubtedly next level. Modelled exclusively after dangerous viruses and cacti, Li's popsicles are armoured with little bulbs and thorns that make them incredibly difficult to eat. But here's the catch. Though they're made with the help of silicon moulding, these little jerks are comprised of the simple sugar and water recipe you'd use for any standard ice block. Anyone who wants to devour their deliciousness has to first fight through the pain. This dichotomy is central to what Li is trying to explore. "What will happen when we put these dangerous thing on one of our most sensitive organs, our tongues?" she asks. "Does pain really bring pleasure? Is there beauty in user-friendly things?" The artist's concern with conflicting sensations is something she's explored in the past. Her hilarious (and totally disturbing) video work Machine Pornography is much the same. By filming tools and machinery equipment doing suggestive "sexual activities" — don't worry, it's not nearly as bad as it sounds — she tests the viewer's connotations of certain actions and presents something conflicting and unsettling. Though we doubt the Dangerous Popsicles will be hitting shelves any time soon, we'd love to give them a try. This is the only time we'll ever say this, but we could really do with some delicious influenza right about now. Via PSFK.
Over the last decade — since it was established in 2009 by renowned art collector and philanthropist Judith Neilson — Sydney's White Rabbit Gallery has become the world's largest private collection of contemporary Chinese artwork. To celebrate the renowned gallery's tenth birthday, the gallery is bringing a few of its most epic pieces down to Melbourne for a major exhibition in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria. Open now and running until October 6, A Fairy Tale in Red Times: Works from the White Rabbit Collection showcases 26 of the most distinguished and exciting contemporary Chinese artists working today. Across installation, painting, photography and more, there are also five landmark works that have never previously been exhibited on Australian shores. More than just an awe-inspiring art collection, White Rabbit documents the post-Mao generation of artists and explores the changing social and cultural landscape of modern-day China. Below, we've picked out five of the most outstanding artworks that provide the perfect introduction to this striking exhibition. Entry is free, so lock in an afternoon to visit ASAP. ZHANG XIAOGANG 张晓刚: BATHTUB (2017) Spanning almost three-metres in length, Bathtub is the newest artwork to be added to White Rabbit Gallery's 2500-strong collection. It's the latest painting in Zhang Xiaogang's ong-running Bloodline series, which is one of the most iconic in contemporary Chinese art. It's also one of the most highly valued; the works have fetched some fairly outrageous prices around the world — one sold for 94.2 million HKD (around 17 million AUD) in 2014. The large-scale oil painting considers memory and imagination, while drawing inspiration from both European surrealists and the family portraits that are symbolic of China's era of Cultural Revolution. SHI YONG 施勇: A BUNCH OF HAPPY FANTASIES (2009) Presented in a hazy red gloom, Shi Yong's A Bunch of Happy Fantasies simultaneously explores illusion, poetry and installation. Spread across the artwork are virtually indecipherable Chinese poems that appear upside down and cryptic, having been written by a friend of the artist in an opium-induced daze. Forming seemingly random sentences and ideas – like 'roses made from water' – Shi Yong took this calligraphy and created an installation that ponders the idea that fantasy is inseparable from reality. Featured in its own dedicated space at the NGV, this work alone makes visiting A Fairy Tale in Red Times well worth it. ZHU JINSHI 朱金石: THE SHIP OF TIME (2018) Undoubtedly one of the most intricate works on display throughout A Fairy Tale in Red Times, Zhu Jinshi's The Ship of Time is hard to miss as it fills a cavernous space hanging from above. Delicately produced, its massive cylinder form was created from 14,000 sheets of xuan paper, 1800 pieces of fine bamboo and 2000 cotton threads. Appearing for the first time in Australia, the work represents a journey into the past with the fireproof xuan paper being collected from ancient villages dotted across the Yellow Mountains. Meanwhile, the work also references the prominent Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi, whose parable, The Empty Boat, encourages people to discard their ego and anxiety. SU MENG-HUNG 蘇孟鴻: THE ALBUM OF IMMORTAL BLOSSOMS IN AN EVERLASTING SPRING BY GUISEPPE CASTIGLIONE (2012) You likely haven't heard of the 17th century Italian Jesuit missionary and painter Giuseppe Castiglione, but his work had a profound effect on artist Su Meng-Hung. Having worked within the imperial courts of three Chinese emperors, Castiglione was one of the early artists to combine both western and Chinese painting techniques to great success, while also contributing European architectural styling to a variety of Chinese royal palaces and gardens. Bringing new life to Castiglione's art, Meng-Hung borrows the ancient artist's creative lexicon and fuses it with his own interest in life and death, empires, and the nature of art in a globalised world. ZHAO ZHAO 赵赵: CONSTELLATIONS (2017) Training under the guise of China's most provocative artist Ai Weiwei, fellow conceptual artist Zhao Zhao follows closely in his mentor's footsteps with his Constellations series. Having observed photographs of bullet holes found in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, Zhao decided to delve into to the concepts of violence and the endless passage of time. To create his ongoing work, he fired a gun into sheets of glass and painted over the resulting damage. Zhao later decided to team up with his mother to replicate these spidery splinters — but, this time, across a massive three-metre work of silk embroidery. A Fairy Tale in Red Times: works from the White Rabbit Collection is on now and free to attend at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne until October 6, 2019. Images: Tom Ross for NGV.
Along with Glastonbury, Coachella is one of the biggest, most famous and highly coveted music festivals in the world — the type of fest that everyone wishes they could nab a ticket to at least once. But 2020's eager revellers will need to wait a little longer to dance in a Californian field, with the festival joining the growing list of events changing plans due to the coronavirus. Originally slated to take place across two weekends next month — April 10–12 and 17–19 — Coachella 2020 has been postponed until October. If you've been preparing to head along, or you've just blocked out those dates to watch the always-popular livestream, you'll now be catching sets by headliners Travis Scott, Frank Ocean and Rage Against the Machine on October 9–11 and 16–18. Fest organisers haven't specifically commented on the lineup, but the event did post the full existing list of talent with its rescheduling announcement. So, for now, it's safe to assume that the same folks will hit the stage during the later timeslot — including Lana Del Rey, Flume, Calvin Harris, FKA Twigs, Run the Jewels, Charli XCX and Fatboy Slim. Announcing the shift of dates in a statement, Coachella's powers-that-be said "while this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we take the safety and health of our guests, staff and community very seriously. We urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials". https://twitter.com/coachella/status/1237514789762416640 All ticket purchases for the original dates remaining valid for October — and for those no longer able to attend thanks to the postponement, refunds will be available. As COVID-19 keeps spreading around the globe, this kind of news is quickly becoming the new normal. Already today, Australian winter arts festival Dark Mofo has pulled the plug on its 2020 iteration. Coachella's delay comes hot on the heels of South by Southwest's cancellation this past weekend, less than a week before it was due to kick off for 2020. Last week, new Bond flick No Time to Die pushed back its release from April to November, too — and for upcoming events such as the Tribeca and Cannes film festivals, the Tokyo Olympics, Eurovision and the aforementioned Glastonbury, cancellations and/or postponements seem increasingly likely. Coachella will now run from October 9–11 and 16–18 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. To find out more information or register for the fest's waitlists, visit coachella.com. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
If yoga is a thing you like to do with your body on your weekends but negronis are also a thing you like to do with your body on weekends, fear not — there are ways of ticking both boxes. Howler is holding a yoga and negronis session on Sunday, September 16, proving that you can have it all, and that Sundays are for doing things good for the soul and the stomach. With yoga by yoga expert Rosie from I Live In Balance and DJ Zev Tropp on soundtrack duties, you'll be downward dogging your way to weekend bliss and whispering "shavasana" as your get-you-through-the-week mantra. The yoga class itself will be more of a fun, accessible-for-all vibe than a difficult sweaty time, and there'll be a guided full body relaxation included at the end. Tickets are $30 and include a negroni each.
Melbourne is fuelled by a mix of coffee and beer, so really it makes logical sense that we've got a festival combining the two. Coming to Thornbury's 3 Ravens Brewery for the second year this Sunday, March 25, On The Bend / On The Mend will see eight local breweries team up with eight beloved coffee roasters on eight unique beers featuring coffee as a key ingredient. Collingwood's Stomping Ground (beer), neighbours Proud Mary (coffee), Preston's Tallboy & Moose (beer) and Brunswick's Industry Beans (coffee) are just a few of the collaborators to jump on board. Last year's creations included a cold brew-infused English bitter and a white stour brewed with sea urchin, cacao nibs and coffee beans — which should give you some idea of how wild things can get. Entry is free, and all the coffee, beer and coffee-flavoured beer will be available to purchase. Or, if you want to lay down $20, you can partake in a masterclass, which includes a tasting paddle of all eight brews.
And just like that, there was a teaser trailer — for HBO's new Sex and the City spinoff And Just Like That..., that is. First announced back at the beginning of 2021, and already locked in for a December release, the ten-part series reunites Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon more than a decade since they last shared a screen in the terrible 2008 and 2010 Sex and the City movies. And, if you're wondering what's in store, the first teaser trailer has just been released. Obviously, Parker's Carrie Bradshaw narrates the sneak peek. It really wouldn't be a Sex and the City-related series otherwise, and you'd probably want to a pair of Manolo Blahniks at your screen in protest if that was the case. This time, the famed fictional New Yorker is waxing lyrical about life's changes — and obviously the words "and just like that" get uttered. The teaser doesn't provide much in the way of narrative detail, but it is filled with images of Carrie, Miranda (Nixon) and Charlotte (Davis) going about their lives — and of plenty of other familiar Sex and the City faces as well. The series' main trio won't have Kim Cattrall's Samantha for company, but Chris Noth, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and the late Willie Garson all return. Yes, that's Big, Anthony, Steve, Harry and Stanford all accounted for. Grey's Anatomy's Sara Ramírez features, too — and, in news that's worth raising a few cosmopolitans, the ten-episode spinoff now has an exact release date. So, you'll be able to stream the first two episodes on Thursday, December 9 via Binge in Australia, with new episodes dropping weekly on Thursdays afterwards. In New Zealand, it'll air on Neon and Sky Go from Friday, December 10, with new episodes dropping at 1pm each week. It'll also head to SoHo from 9.30pm on Mondays from December 20. Due to Cattrall's absence, And Just Like That... is being badged as a "new chapter' in the Sex and the City story, rather than an additional season of the existing 1998–2004 program. Parker, Davis and Nixon are also named as producers on And Just Like That..., alongside Michael Patrick King, who worked as a writer, director and executive producer on the original (and on the two movies). Check out the first teaser trailer below: And Just Like That... will start streaming in Australia via Binge from Thursday, December 9. In New Zealand, it'll air via Neon and Sky Go in New Zealand from Friday, December 10, and also on SoHo from 9.30pm on Mondays from December 20.
During winter, it's easy to fall into a rut of the 'work, home, Netflix, sleep and repeat' kind. Luckily, Melbourne is chockers with venues and events that are doing their best to tempt you out of the house. So, we've teamed up with Melbourne ridesharing app DiDi to inspire you to do more with your winter nights. These five activities are worth braving the cold for and promise to warm you up once you get there. Plus, DiDi offers super competitive fares for getting you around the city, which means you'll have more cash to splash once you arrive. Read on to discover an all-night arts festival, a European-style winter market, a new restaurant serving hearty bowls of pasta and all the cheese you can handle. Grab your mates, throw on a warm jacket and make a night (or weekend) of it. [caption id="attachment_650235" align="alignnone" width="1920"] White Night Melbourne[/caption] PARTY ALL-NIGHT AT WHITE NIGHT FESTIVAL Every summer, Melburnians look forward to the all-night arts spectacular that is the White Night. Now, for the first time in its six-year run, the free festival is shining during winter instead. Taking place over three nights from Thursday, August 22–Saturday, August 24, the massive new winter program will span the Carlton Gardens, Birrarung Marr and the Treasury Gardens. Expect even more live music, street projections and after-dark gallery openings, plus heaps of design, film, food, performance and street art events. It'll keep you hopping around the city all weekend long and help you forget all about that chill in the air. INDULGE YOUR WINTER APPETITE AT HIGH CHEESE Cheese fiends Maker & Monger have once again teamed up with Westin Melbourne to bring you its version of high tea, which is filled with tiers upon tiers of cheese. Both sweet and savoury cheese dishes will be on offer daily until Saturday, August 31 — think gouda scones, roquefort with Four Pillars marmalade and cheesy tiramisu with salted white chocolate. You'll also get to try ricotta-filled cannoli, gruyère-stuffed gougères and even an entire baked Normandy camembert. It'll cost you $70 all up, with unlimited coffee and tea also included (wine will cost you extra). To reserve your spot, head to the website. GO ICE SKATING AT THE WINTER VILLAGE You don't need to take a trip abroad to indulge in some European-vibes this winter. Melbourne's Federation Square has been transformed into The Winter Village — a European-style market that boasts an ice rink, private igloos for hire and fried cheese aplenty. Expect local DJs to keep you entertained while you sip espresso martinis from the tap. If you're keen to see some snow, head to the oversized igloo dining hall where it 'snows' inside every hour. The pop-up has been extended until the end of September, too — so you have plenty of time to take advantage of it. EAT YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD AT QUEEN VICTORIA WINTER NIGHT MARKET If variety is your thing, Queen Victoria Market is where you should head on Wednesday nights during winter. Each week, the Winter Night Market offers a lineup of 30 food stalls serving up cuisine from around the world — there's pasta tossed in a wheel of parmesan, Italian loaded flatbreads and churro bowls topped with vanilla ice cream and hazelnut sauce and much more. Apart from the food, you can stay warm by sipping mulled wine and steaming hot cider, then dance along to live music, roving entertainment or at the silent disco. Over 50 maker stalls are also on the docket. And, in July, the market will take on a Christmas theme each week, with snow machines, decorations and the requisite ugly sweaters. Entry is free each and every week, too. [caption id="attachment_725156" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Dillon[/caption] TUCK INTO HEARTY BOWLS OF PASTA AT LUPO There's nothing better on a cold night than a steaming bowl of hearty pasta. This winter, highly lauded chef Scott Pickett (Saint Crispin, Estelle, Pickett's Deli, Matilda) is bringing you just that. He's recently transformed his 60-seat Smith Street digs into a classic Italian diner. Lupo offers up the likes of spanner crab lasagne, squid ink linguine and black truffle risotto. The extensive wine list will warm you up, too, with over 120 wines to choose from. And the barrel-aged negroni is the perfect pre- or post-dinner pick-me-up. If spending the night at one of Collingwood's hottest new restaurants doesn't entice you out of the house this winter, we don't know what will. Switch to DiDi and save heaps of cash that you'd rather spend on the fun stuff — like indulgent wintry adventures. To start riding, download the app here and use the code CONCRETE to score up to $50 in vouchers. Image: Queen Victoria Winter Night Market.
It is often said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. However, there is considerable argument about who first said it. In this post modern era, it has been well argued that everything worth doing has probably already been done. And as anyone who has raided their grandparents' wardrobe for vintage classics will tell you, fashion and design are cyclical. Despite all this, as a culture we still value and believe in authenticity, innovation and originality. And we support the rights of artists and designers to sue the pants of anyone who wittingly rips their ideas off. But what if you unwittingly rip some off yourself? What if, by chance, two artists independently come up with the very same idea? Is that impossible? And where do you draw the line between being influenced by someone and blatantly copying their ideas? Where does referencing end and plagiarism begin? These are the questions which occupy retired professor of Graphic Design Bob Caruther, and are the theme behind his flickr page entitled, Similarities. In this extensive collection, Caruther pairs up two or more similar images without making either comment or judgement. In many pairs the similarities were well-intentioned, as for example in Rufus Wainwright's homage to Judy Garland and The Clash's homage to Elvis Presley. However, in other examples, intentions are not quite as clear, leaving the viewer to contemplate whether the later image is a coincidence, proof of an artistic collective unconsciousness, or grounds for a lawsuit. We'll let you decide.
There's a whole swag of ways to celebrate Lunar New Year in Melbourne, but if your ideal one involves feasting on Singaporean and Malaysian flavours, you'll want to book a table at Hawker Hall. From Friday, February 9–Sunday, February 11, the hawker-inspired eatery is launching into the Year of the Dragon with an exclusive banquet menu, plus lion dances, giveaways and more. Head in to enjoy a sumptuous $88 set menu, starring plates like kingfish sashimi paired with red chilli sambal and lychee, roast duck wontons, Singapore-style Moreton Bay Bugs doused in chilli and served with Chinese doughnuts, and more. Plenty of a la carte options will also be available to order individually, and you'll even find a few Lunar New Year-inspired cocktails on the menu. Visit for dinner between February 9–11 and you could also nab yourself prizes ranging from free drinks to $888 restaurant vouchers just by cracking open your fortune cookie. On Friday and Saturday night, there will also feature traditional lion dance performances weaving through the dining room. And if you can't make it for these nights, don't fret. The Lunar New Year set menu will be running a little longer, up until Thursday, February 29.
For the next six months, a patch of rare Australian greenery is blooming on the other side of the world. As part of the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale, more than 10,000 native grassland plants are currently sitting in and around the event's Australian Pavilion — not only highlighting the endangered nature of the species on display, but also showcasing the importance of architecture that integrates the natural with the man-made. In what the artists have dubbed a "living installation", visitors wander past an array of plants before entering a room filled with them, with the field of vegetation appropriately titled Grasslands. It's comprised of 65 species of Victorian Western Plains grasslands, of which only one percent remains in Australia since European settlement. As the exhibition's guiding forces — Melbourne architects Baracco+Wright (Louise Wright and Mauro Baracco) with collaborating artist Linda Tegg — explain, the plants on display are "smaller area than that of an average Australian family house. Such an area takes around an hour to bulldoze." Their statement about the impact of urbanisation, agriculture, grazing and industrial land use on native Australian plant life forms one part of the overall exhibition, which also has a very fitting moniker: Repair. As presented by the Australian Institute of Architects, the showcase also includes a piece called Skylight, and it's practical as well as informative. The custom-designed lighting installation mimics the sun's 24-hour cycle in order to keep the plants alive — and its daily rotation is drawn from Australian time and sun patterns. For energy, Skylight takes its power from the Italian electricity grid, using 64 percent fossil, 21 percent hydro, nine percent wind and solar, five percent nuclear, and one percent geothermal sources. The final aspect involves a video series titled Ground, as projected on five-metre by eight-metre screens throughout the pavilion — highlighting 15 architectural projects that embody different notions of the overall theme of repair. The Venice Architecture Biennale runs from May 26 to November 25. For more information, visit the Australian Pavilion's website. Images: Rory Gardiner
The Maribyrnong River Trail runs alongside the Maribyrnong River through the northwest suburbs of Melbourne and it's often populated with runners, walkers and cyclists. When you're taking the trail, you're on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Country, which has a rich history dating back over 40,000 years. Today, there are plenty of places to stop while pacing the route, whether to rest, check out some community gardens or to grab a green juice or cup of coffee to keep you going. To help you make the most of it, we teamed up with Adidas to bring you seven rewarding pit stops to make when you're tackling the trail. Take a look, then plan your own adventure using the map below. [caption id="attachment_804268" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parks Victoria[/caption] BRIMBANK PARK Start off amid native grassland and wetlands at Brimbank Park, located in Keilor East. The expansive green space neighbours the Maribyrnong River, and it's home to diverse wildlife, including ducks, wallabies and native birds. There are plenty of picnic areas and open spaces where you can warm up with lunges, leg swings, arm circles and side shuffles. It's also right next to Horseshoe Bend Farm, a rural-farm space where, though there aren't any animals, you can peruse its original 1930s weatherboard cottage while you get blood flowing to your muscles. [caption id="attachment_804270" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elaine Casap; Unsplash[/caption] AVONDALE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY GARDENS Make a pit stop at Avondale Heights Community Gardens to soak in some good community vibes and admire the local produce and plants. While you walk around the plots, take time to get some oxygen back into those lungs. You may even learn a thing or two about organic and sustainable gardening practices and principles. Or, if you're lucky, you'll find yourself at an open day with produce, preserves, seeds and seedlings on sale. PARTICLE CAFE Particle Cafe is the perfect spot to pick up a green juice or mid-run coffee. The eatery on Military Road, in Avondale Heights, is 100-percent vegan — with gluten free options available, too. It also has nut-based milks, like macadamia, cashew, hazelnut and almond. Alternatively, try a chia pudding, healthy choccy bowl, tofu scramble or a 'Vegan is Possible' burger. Whatever you choose, it'll be jam-packed with plants, which can only fuel your run ahead. [caption id="attachment_804692" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moonee Valley City Council[/caption] CANNING RESERVE LOOKOUT As you run on you'll reach Canning Reserve Lookout, just by Canning Reserve Playground. It's a great spot for a photo — or to stare out at the scenic views, including Melbourne's skyline in the distance. There's a walking dock so you can keep moving, or plenty of spots under gum trees to have a breather. Simply enjoy the fresh air while nodding to the other runners as they pass by. [caption id="attachment_803175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samson Katt[/caption] FAIRBAIRN PARK Mix up your run by stopping off at Fairbairn Park. The wide-open space is ideal for interval training on the sports fields. The park also has access to the river and dogs are allowed off-leash here, so be prepared to share your space with some cute, furry friends. While you're in workout mode, try not to be swayed by nearby Highpoint Shopping Centre. [caption id="attachment_803451" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maribyrnong City Council[/caption] MARIBYRNONG AQUATIC CENTRE Take a break at Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre, adjacent to Thompson Reserve and Pipemakers Park. Take to a lane in the heated 50-metre pool and swim a few laps to get in some extra cardio, or hang out in the leisure pool for a while. Alternatively, head straight for the spa to start relaxing, followed by the sauna and steam rooms to sweat it out and unwind. Bookings are essential right now, so make sure to jump online and time your run to finish here. It's $12.90 for a spa, sauna and steam session. Access to the pool is $7. CAFE BOUTIQUE Reward yourself at the end of your run by heading to Cafe Boutique, on Cumberland Drive at the corner of Harbour Park. It's time for a pancake and a well-earned latte with waterfront and Flemington Racecourse views. If you're there for brekkie, enjoy the likes of yoghurt-layered muesli, french toast or eggs florentine. Or, if stopping in for lunch, sink your teeth into a salmon salad, carbonara or greek salad with lamb. You could also grab a takeaway sandwich and head to the park nearby for a snack and a nap in the shade. You've earned it. In need of a new pair of runners? Take a look at the new Adidas Ultraboost 21 runners here. Launch the map below to start plotting your own running adventure in and around Melbourne. Top image: Visit Victoria
On Saturday, September 3 from 11am, right through until Sunday, September 4 at 9.10am, three Melbourne cinemas will become the most magical places in the city. That's when and where all eight Harry Potter films will grace the big screen again, as part of a whole day and night of wizarding wonder. BYO time-turner if you don't think you'll be able to get through it all otherwise. On the bill at the Lido, Classic and Cameo cinemas: watching Harry, Hermione, Ron and co spend their first day at Hogwarts, play quidditch, search for the deathly hallows and battle He Who Must Not Be Named. They'll navigate potions classes, bust out spells, face off against evil and their classmates, and get plenty of enchanting help, too. You know how the story goes, of course — and now, 21 years after Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone first hit cinemas, you can revisit the whole saga in one big go. Potter Party — All-Night Harry Potter Marathon does include two breaks: 55 minutes for dinner between Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and 20 minutes for breakfast to split up Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Dressing up in costume is always highly recommended, as is indulging in 22 hours Potter nerdery — with tickets costing $50.
If you're just a hunk, a hunk of burning love for the one and only Elvis Presley, and you live in Australia, you've been having quite the year or so. For four months in 2022, a massive exhibition dedicated to the king of rock 'n' roll hit Bendigo. Since June, Baz Luhrmann's AACTA-winning and Oscar-nominated biopic Elvis has been wowing fans at festivals, then in cinemas, then also at home. And now, when the middle of 2023 hits, a new Presley-focused stage musical will start doing the rounds across the country. Called Elvis: A Musical Revolution, this brand-new production will feature more than 40 of the singer's hits, because there's just that many songs to include. Expect all of the favourites to be worked into the biographical musical, which means everything from 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Hound Dog', 'That's All Right' and 'All Shook Up' through to 'Suspicious Minds', 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Burning Love' and 'Blue Suede Shoes'. 'Good Rockin' Tonight', 'Earth Angel', 'Don't Be Cruel' and 'Are You Lonesome' are also set to get a whirl as well, as are 'Blue Moon of Kentucky', 'See See Rider', 'Can't Help Falling in Love' and 'A Little Less Conversation'. That's what you'll be hearing. As for what you'll be seeing — what'll make the musical one for the money, naturally — the show's action will tell Elvis' tale from his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi through to his triumphant '68 Comeback Special. If you've seen the aforementioned Elvis, none of it will be new news, but expect Elvis: A Musical Revolution to work its hip-swinging magic anyway. Exact dates haven't yet been revealed, or a full list of cities that'll get this musical in their buildings. But the show will get started at Sydney's State Theatre in July, and also head to Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre from September. Cross your fingers for more stops afterwards. The cast hasn't been unveiled yet either, with a national talent search set to be held to find the right actor to slip into the blue suede shoes. Yes, following up Austin Butler's Oscar-nominated efforts will be a huge task. Elvis: A Musical Revolution hails from David Venn Enterprises, which has also been behind Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical, The Wedding Singer and Bring It On: The Musical — and arrives via a partnership with Authentic Brands Group, the owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises. Also behind the scenes, the musical's book comes courtesy of David Abbinanti and Sean Cercone — who have Saturday Night Fever: The Musical and Ghost: The Musical on their resumes — with Abbinanti also composing the orchestrations, arrangements, and additional musical and lyrics. "We are honoured to be tackling one of the world's greatest icons through a Broadway musical. Elvis' life is such fervent ground for this medium from his epic concerts to his unprecedented meteoric rise to fame. There was no roadmap, no guide, and no limit on what could be created. His journey, from dirt-poor shotgun shack Tupelo, Mississippi to a singular name, Elvis has fascinated generations and we're excited to have him tell it in his own way," said Abbinanti and Cercone. ELVIS: A MUSICAL REVOLUTION 2023 AUSTRALIAN DATES: From July 2023 — State Theatre, Sydney From September 2023 — Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne Elvis: A Musical Revolution will start touring Australia from July 2023. Head to the show's website for further details, and to join the ticket waitlist — with seats on sale from Wednesday, March 1.
If you agree that one of the best ways to deal with chilly temperatures and rainy days is to just eat until you feel better, Oriental Teahouse has you covered. Following a sold out run during this year's Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the South Yarra location is bringing back their Dumpling Degustation for one night only on Thursday, July 27 from 6:30pm. The feast that awaits you on Chapel Street includes 25 different types of dumplings, meaning the lucky partakers get to try every single dumpling on the menu. It won't just be your average fried pork and chive, either (though their fancy version of the classic is included) — think lobster and wild mushroom, green curry lamb, Angus beer and pulled pork varieties, along with an AFL-themed football dumpling of pork, shrimp, dried shiitake and bamboo, topped with a crispy bacon and sesame. We're not sure what the combination has to do with footy, but it sounds delicious and that's all that matters. Five brand new flavours will also make the menu. The degustation isn't cheap — especially compared with the $22.50 all-you-can-eat dumpling dinner happening at POW Kitchen on the same night. Orienal Teahouse's version starts at $80, or $120 for a matched beverage pairing which includes craft beer, cocktail, wine, sake and premium tea. But no one says you can't treat yourself to a night of fancy dumpling gorging and, for lobster dumplings, the price may be worth it. To book email chapel@orientalteahouse.com.au or call on 03 9826 0168.
Directed by David Mackenzie (Young Adam, Hallam Foe), You Instead is a romantic comedy that is set and filmed live at T In The Park, one of Scotland's biggest music festivals. The rock'n'roll love story begins when two musicians are handcuffed together after a feud. Adam (Luke Treadaway) is the lead singer from an electro-pop band and Morello (Natalia Tena) plays in a post punk riot band struggling to make it to the top. Morello's band is going to play their biggest gig at T in the Park and being handcuffed to Adam makes things a little more interesting. After spending so much time together they realise that there may be a connection between them, proving difficult as Adam has a supermodel girlfriend and Morello is dating a banker. Concrete Playground has five double passes to giveaway. To go in the running to win tickets to You Instead, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address to us at hello@concreteplayground.com.au
If your idea of bliss is a lengthy soak in warm water in a stunning location, you have a date with the outback Queensland town of Cunnamulla in your future. Before summer is out, it'll be home to a new hot springs that boasts seven geothermic pools, is perched right by Warrego River for the ultimate in scenic surroundings, and will also get you relaxing by sunrise and sunset. And, it hails from the Peninsula Hot Springs crew. Not content with getting folks steeping on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula and at Metung Hot Springs in East Gippsland — both in a state vying to become home to a 900-kilometre hot springs trail — plus at Maruia Hot Springs in New Zealand, the team is spreading its footprint. Cunnamulla Hot Springs was announced in 2023, and originally set to launch last winter; however, the fact that the Peninsula Hot Springs Group is now running it is new, and so is the Thursday, February 1, 2024 opening date. The local Paroo Shire owns the five-star venue, which cost $11.7-million to establish, with contributions from both the federal and Queensland state governments. But, now that Cunnamulla Hot Springs will soon welcome in patrons after becoming the largest-funded project that the Paroo Shire Council has ever undertaken, it has handed over day-to-day operations to one of the big Australian names in the business. The site's pools are surrounded by native trees, and feature mineral- and vitamin-rich water taken from and heated naturally by the artesian basin underneath. Learning about the latter around your soak is also part of the experience — relaxing your body and feeding your mind at the same time. Each of Cunnamulla Hot Springs's bathing spots sport different temperatures, so you can get steamy, opt for a stint in the chilled plunge pool or both. One has been specifically built to be shallow, so that folks sitting in it can gaze at the stars in the most immersive way possible. In the state-of-the-art complex, a sauna and a steam room is also part of the setup, as is an area for salt scrubs and clay masks. The aforementioned early-morning and late-afternoon dips are all about taking advantage of day's cooler temperatures. Dawn bathing starts at 6am, while a twilight soak is on offer from 5–9pm on weekdays. Patrons aren't merely surrounded by Cunnamulla's landscape as they sit; everything about Cunnamulla Hot Springs has taken its cues from its environment, with Cox Architects on design duties. Think: earthy colours, and using stone and ironbark timber among other natural materials — plus the thermal waters, of course. "Cunnamulla Hot Springs in one of the remotest destinations in one of the least populated countries in the world. We want guests to connect with the outback, the local indigenous communities and most importantly, the water — the mineral-rich artesian water that is found at Cunnamulla," said Peninsula Hot Springs' Charles Davidson. "Our hope is that Cunnamulla Hot Springs will create a sense of community by embracing the land, culture and wellbeing — as the Mornington Peninsula did when it opened, over 18 years ago." When it was announced last year, Cunnamulla Hot Springs was named as a highlight on the Outback Queensland Traveller's Guide, which is filled with things to do inland in the Sunshine State. Queensland isn't just about beaches, rainforests and the tropics, even if that's what it's best known for. So, the bathing venue joins everything from starlight river cruises in Longreach and Winton's Australia Age of Dinosaurs Museum through to the Southwest Queensland Indigenous Cultural Trail and a heap of national parks (and other outback spas and baths, including in Julia Creek, Bedourie, Quilpie, Mitchell and Yowah). If you're now planning a trip to Cunnamulla, it's around a nine-hour drive west from Brisbane, with flights via Rex, and also boasts an outback river lights festival; the Artesian Time Tunnel, which explores the Artesian Basin's history; and safari-style glamping — among other attractions. Cunnamulla Hot Springs will open at Lot 5 Ivan Street, Cunnamulla, Queensland on Thursday, February 1 — head to the venue's website for bookings and further information. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Victoria's 61-day run of no new locally acquired COVID-19 cases has come to an end with the state recording three new cases in the 24 hours leading up to midnight on Wednesday, December 30. As a result, the Victorian Government has introduced new gathering and mask restrictions ahead of tonight's New Year's Eve celebrations. As of 5pm today, Thursday, December 31, gatherings at private homes will be limited to 15, which is down from the previously allowed 30. Which means, you may need to quickly reassess your plans for this evening. Additionally, masks will be mandatory in all indoor settings — except from when you are eating and drinking — from 5pm. "If you are planning to leave your home at the moment, we ask people to carry their masks with them, we are now asking them to wear a mask if they are indoors in any location which is not their private home," Acting Premier Jacinta Allen said in a press conference today. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1344398374485843973 The Victorian Government has also announced new border restrictions, with Victorians located in Wollongong and the Blue Mountains having until 11.59pm tonight Thursday, December 31 to return to the state. On return, they will need to get tested and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result of the test. After this time, Victorians that have visited these areas — as well as the previously announced Greater Sydney area, the Central Coast and the northern beaches — in the last 14 days cannot enter Victoria. You can find out more about Victoria's border restrictions at the Victorian Government website. The Government has also strongly urged Victorians to reconsider plans to visit NSW. "Do not go to New South Wales, if you are in Victoria," said Minister for Health Martin Foley. "If you are a Victorian in New South Wales, well beyond Wollongong and the Blue Mountains, come back. Do not want to be caught on the wrong side of a rapidly evolving situation." https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1344195448752406528 All three cases recorded yesterday dined at Smile Buffalo Thai restaurant in Black Rock on Monday, December 21, and anyone who visited the restaurant on that date must get tested and isolate until they receive a negative test result. The Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services has also released a list of additional venues that have been linked to positive cases on its Twitter page and website. More locations are expected to be added across the day, too. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1344429850933645315 For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria and current restrictions, head to the DHHS website.
Here's an incredibly obvious but still always true statement: the finest sushi you'll ever eat is found in Tokyo. That's just a delicious reality, but so is struggling to get into the best sushi joints during your Japan holiday because they're impossible to book. Thanks to Melbourne eatery Uminono, however, there's now a tour jetting out of Australia this spring that'll let you spend five nights eating your way through Tokyo's finest sushi restaurants. And yes, it takes care of all the reservations for you — including to quite the selection of exclusive spots. First, you'd best check your bank account. The Uminono x Plan Japan Luxury Sushi Discovery Experience doesn't come cheap, costing $9600 if you're willing to share a room and $11,900 if you want to bunk solo. But that fat stack of cash will get you the kind of Tokyo holiday you've only dreamed of, as co-guided by Uminono sushi chef Arnaud Laidebeur. Between Sunday, September 25–Friday, September 30 — departing out of Melbourne, and presumably assuming that Japan allows tourists back in by that time — this trip will hit up the likes of eight-seater boutique Sushi Amamoto, which boasts two Michelin stars, plus acclaimed chef Masamichi Amamoto in the kitchen; and Sugita, an extremely well-known standout that uses traditional Edomae skills to make its sushi. Also on the list are Ginza's Hakkoku, a six-seater that serves up to 30 different fish varieties; and Sushi Kimura, which is all about aged sushi and non-conventional fish varieties. While sushi is the main focus, the tour also includes a range of Tokyo fine-diners with a particular focus on French-Japanese fusion. So, that means a meal at the world-acclaimed Sugalabo, as well as Florilège and Été, with the latter only seating up to four guests a day. The exact itinerary hasn't been locked in just yet, but other restaurants on the list include Arai, Shimazu, Takamitsu and Sushi Ryujiro among the sushi spots; Ode from the French-Japanese eateries; and also eight-seater upmarket seafood and steak joint Tacubo, yakitori standouts Torishiki and Yakitori Eiki, yakiniku spot Yoroniku, the wagyu-covering Wagyumafia, Toyosu market, and a heap of street food and ramen places. Only six seats are available for the tour's September dates — so if this'll let you live your sushi dreams, and you can afford it, getting in quick is obviously recommended. And, you'll be slumbering in hotels to match the luxe culinary experience on offer, such as Palace Hotel Tokyo in the Marunouchi district and Shangri-La Tokyo, which is right near Tokyo Station. The Uminono x Plan Japan Luxury Sushi Discovery Experience arrives in Tokyo on Sunday, September 25, then returns to Melbourne on Friday, September 30. For more information or to register your interest, head to the Plan Japan website.
Love indulging in a few-too-many gins on a summer evening, but don't love the dull, dehydrated, hungover face you wake to the next day? We've now got the perfect solution, thanks to an exciting new collaboration between two beloved Aussie brands: Four Pillars Gin and Go-To Skincare. Together they've launched My New Go-To Gin, a new "wildly limited edition" spirit set to be your tipple of summer. The perfect Christmas present for both that skincare fanatic and gin connoisseur in your life, this new addition to your liquor cabinet has all of the peachy goodness you'd expect from Zoe Foster Blake's beloved beauty brand. Not only is it made with quandong, a native Aussie peach and some tart ruby grapefruit, the familiar Go-To label aesthetic means you could probably add it to your bathroom counter's line-up, and nobody would notice anything out of the ordinary. And if you sip a few too many the night before another event (hello, festive season) you're in luck: Every bottle comes with a Go-To 'Transformazing' sheet mask to soak your skin in much-needed moisture. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Go-To (@gotoskincare) Go-To Skincare has become well-known for its cult following of skincare fanatics across the world. The beauty venture from Foster-Blake has been so wildly successful since its 2014 launch, she just sold her majority stake in the company for a cool AU$89 million. Meanwhile, Aussie spirits producer Four Pillars has also become well-known known for innovation. Its inventive collaborations and tasty creations like the rare dry and bloody shiraz gin ranges have earned it the title of World's Best Gin for two years running now. With two very intense fanbases onboard, we imagine this one is going to sell out from shelves quick smart, so do yourself a favour and grab it while you can. Currently, it's just available for sale on the Four Pillars website, with orders limited to maximum of one per order — it's up to you if you gift it to a friend, or keep it for yourself. They've also included a specialty cocktail recipe, perfect for the festive season. Find more information about My New Go-To Gin on the Four Pillars website.
Each year The Age Good Food Guide tells us something we already know: that we take food way too seriously. What it also unveils — apart from the realisation of just how many places you can get a feed — is which Victorian restaurants you should add to your must-eat list. Last night, in their 35th year, the Good Food Guide Awards made your wish list that little bit longer, announcing the winners of their 2015 accolades. Both newcomers and hospo veterans were rewarded at this year's awards, and it was clear that longevity is both aspirational and revered. Taking top spot as Chef of the Year was, unsurprisingly, Andrew McConnell, who added Supernormal to his super successful restaurant empire in May. Restaurant of the Year went to Dan Hunter's Brae, which also entered the guide with three hats. In other news, Birregurra just booked out for the rest of the year. When cooking food it's rather important to wear a hat. Metaphorically, of course. So which restaurants will be wearing the all-important headwear this year? The Town Mouse received one hat (to much applause from the rest of the industry), as did Union Dining, No. 8 by John Lawson and the aforementioned Supernormal. Hats aside, we were happy to see one of our favourites Nieuw Amsterdam pick up an award for best drinks list, and for Angie Giannakodakis of Epocha be commended for service excellence (we wrote about her killer service here). Forever showing their commitment to the local hospitality industry, this year's Good Food Guide saw over 650 restaurants reviewed — some up to four times. Not surprisingly, there was a movement towards casual dining, a resurgence of pickling and fermenting, and a whole lotta barbecue. No awards were given for Burger Artisan of the Year, but maybe that's one for 2016? You can see the full list of Good Food Guide Award winners here.
When May hits, the Gold Coast will boast yet another attraction — and it doesn't involve sun, surf, sand or theme park rides. Southeast Queensland's popular tourist destination will open its new $60.5 million, six-level art gallery, which'll become the country's largest art gallery outside of a capital city. If the news sounds familiar, that's because it was first announced back in 2018, with an early 2021 opening date set at the time. And yes, it's sticking to that timeframe. While the pandemic has delayed more than a few things over the past year, the new addition to HOTA, Home of the Arts at Surfers Paradise's isn't among them. It'll launch on Saturday, May 8. Art lovers can get excited about a multi-floor gallery with more than 2000 square metres of exhibition space, including a main area that'll be used for touring exhibitions, plus a permanent collection space across three levels, a children's gallery and an area for storing works that aren't on display. Simply called the HOTA Gallery, it has been built at the top of the site's concert lawn, and overlooks HOTA's outdoor stage. View-wise, there'll be much to look at if you're keen on gazing at creative pieces. That includes two sculptural installations that'll be placed outside, as created by Queensland Waanyi artist Judy Watson and Sri-Lankan born, Sydney based artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran. Watson's artwork will hero Indigenous native plants, plus a pathway that forms a topographical map of Nerang prior to European settlement. Piccabeen basket and dilly bag sculptures designed with Quandamooka artists Libby Harward and Elisa Jane Carmichael will also feature, as will a two-metre-tall feather canopy and snippets of local language sandblasted onto the bleachers. As for Nithiyendran, he has crafted a six-metre-high, double-sided sculpture made out of bronze, concrete, neon and fibreglass that's designed to reflect the vibrancy of the new building. Visitors will also be able to peer at something other than the art gracing the walls, with the building featuring a rooftop bar and restaurant. Called The Exhibitionist Bar, it'll take over 233 square metres, and pair panoramic views with tapas, share plates, cocktails, wine, beer and house-made sodas. And, it's also opening in May. Both indoor and outdoor terrace seating will feature, and you'll get a vantage that sprawls over the Goldie's waterways, Surfers' Paradise skyline and the hinterland. Plus, in terms of decor, the venue is taking its cues from rainforests — as does the building itself, which is inspired by William Robinson's 'The Rainforest'. HOTA Gallery and The Exhibitionist Bar are both set to open at HOTA, Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise on Saturday, May 8. For more information, visit the HOTA website. Top images: Scott Chrisman, Pixeltape Media
